Year in Review: The 34-year-old Castillo is clearly on his way down. He did rebound to hit .300 and steal 20 bases like the Castillo of old, but nowhere is his decline more obvious than in his defensive stats. Despite still flashing some good speed (5.4 speed score), his UZR has gone from above average with the Marlins (+6 UZR/150) to downright terrible last year (-10.5 UZR/150). Though he still benefits from extreme plate discipline (12.5% BB rate, 12% K rate) and may be able to steal 20 bases per year into his late 30s, the defense is worrisome because it may push him off second base, and he's not a strong enough hitter (.723 lifetime OPS) to survive at a corner infield or outfield position. At least his line-drive rate (22.9% in ‘09) bounced back from a decline, giving him some hope for the future.

The Year Ahead: It seems that Castillo can hit .300 and steal 20 bases in his sleep, but it's not so easy to pencil him for those statistics in 2010 because of his declining defense. The grumbling in New York was rising to a fevered pitch before his offense recovered to its standard level last year, but management must be aware of his disappearing range at second base. The risk of being shipped to a poorer offense or a declining role on his current team takes away one of his few passable categories (runs) and would make him one of the worst fantasy options at second base if he isn't already. He contributes in too few categories currently, averaging just two home runs and 30 RBI per season in his career and sporting a lifetime slugging percentage of .354. (Eno Sarris)

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